Welcome, P/Supt. Nerez — and watch it now!

Posted on February 25, 2007 - Filed Under |

  POLICE SENIOR Superintendent Isagani Nerez, a fine officer and gentleman, assumed the PNP provincial director’s office in Pangasinan last week amid swirling controversies concerning the post just vacated by his comrade-in-arms Supt. Alan LM Purisima.

 

To be sure, Nerez knows that contending forces are at work trying to undermine the independence and capacity for fairness of his post in this election season. They may lay off him temporarily, avoid intriguing him initially but they will be there, if not doing it personally then thru others, emissaries and associates, sooner or later.

 

As he steps into Purisima’s hot shoes, and with his earlier stint in the province, although at a lower position, as former criminal investigation and detection group chief, it is safe to presume Nerez knows where he’s coming from and what he’s going into.

 

That, from names submitted to the provincial governor by the PNP leadership, he was picked out by Agbayani should indicate how well he and his credentials – perhaps even background – are appreciated by local elective leaders to possibly include House Speaker Jose de Venecia (who has told all and sundry he had nothing to do with Purisima’s relief here).

 

Of course, there will always be pressures, there will always be influence-peddling by those in or out of public office who believe they can wine and dine their way to any officer’s heart in order to court favors sooner, if not later. Especially again, we might add, during an election season.

 

Nerez has said during the turnover program that his priority as new provincial police head, is the anti-drugs campaign. That, in a manner of speaking, is where it begins and ends in this suddenly very lucrative transshipment point of the illegal substance. And where, sometimes too, it all begins and ends for the assignment or reassignment of police officers.

 

If Nerez is able to complete his normal two-year assignment in Pangasinan, a feat considering the fate of the others before him whose stay have been abbreviated, it can only mean he knows how to play his cards right. And can row the boat in either direction — without drowning in the treacherous waters. We still don’t know if he should be congratulated for that, if ever. Lets’ save that for later, perhaps?

 

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